Oakley council says nursery may continue to sell cars as well

OAKLEY -- The Oakley plant nursery that also sells used cars will be able to continue its dual existence.

The City Council last week approved a new conditional use permit that allows Pompei Nursery on Main Street to use some of its parking lot as a showroom for used vehicles.

When the nursery opened in 2005, its owner was expecting to benefit from all the new homes developers were building, but within a couple of years the housing market took a turn for the worst.

To supplement its revenue, the business received a two-year conditional use permit to operate a tiny used car dealership on the lot; Pompei was allowed to display vehicles for sale in up to five parking spaces.

Although the permit expired in October 2010, the business continued to double as a car dealership from time to time; council members' unanimous vote Tuesday brought it back into compliance.

With the vehicles for sale and prospective buyers taking up nearly one-third of the 19 parking slots, there will be less space for the nursery's customers. However, city officials noted that they've never received any complaints.

The conditional use permit stipulates that if nursery patrons can't find a place to park, the council will revisit the matter.